Help with selecting plants for layout

[rfgpitt]

Hi guys - been awhile!

I'm finally getting some time to plant some of the bigger varieties in my back yard. The area in question was mostly a water run-off retaining pond below our engineered (steep) hill for my neighborhood while it was being built. Last fall (late ) it was filled in and grass seed was put down. I've already had multiple shovel failures, but have 4 holes dug for 4 lucky plants to move out of their pots. Please help me in selecting the best plants in your opinion for each place. Keep in mind that I might have room for at least one more big one later. I'm leaving enough room so each plant will have about a 20 foot diameter area to grow, leaving around 15 feet in between plantings once they're grown (let's hope) and also leaving room around them to mow the grass to keep them from running away. The image from the link below shows the layout and the plants I have available. My goal is to have several plantings that will be given enough room to get pretty sizable and still be able to be controlled by mowing. Thanks, -Rick

Link to layout on Photobucket

[needmore]

Given your potted species available and climate:


1 - Parvifolia
2- Spectabilis
3 - Yellow Groove
4- Bissetii

[rfgpitt]

Here's just a bit more info:
a. The morning/late morning shade on 1 & 2 will be less to almost none in the winter as the shade is provided by deciduous trees.
b. The late afternoon shade to 3 & 4 will be less for the same reason.
c. #1 - gets the most sun, but also will be the least protected from wind
d. From the kitchen and deck area where they will be viewed the most, #2 is most visible, followed by #3, #1 and #4 will probably have to hit 10' before it's seen.
e. While young, #s 1 & 2 have a chance of getting run into by sled riders

[Alan_L]

Congratulations on your 1000th post!

I had almost the same layout as Brad, except I only filled in 3 spaces. I had:

1: Spectabilis
2: Yellow Groove
3: Bissetii

But I wasn't sure if my list should start at 1 or 2. I left one spot blank because I don't grow the others in your list.

[movenosound]

1.Spectablis
2.V. Areocaulis
3.Bisetti
4.Parvifolia

3 and 4 are kind of interchangable, but I think that Parvifolia in 3 and Atrovaginata , I know it's not on your list, for 4. I just cant see planting in a known wet area without Atro. and Parvifolia, which are both in the air-channeled rhizome family, right?

[needmore]

Rick, good to see you post again - my list thoughts were that the Parv would be a good number one to impress in a high visibility spot, the Spectabilis next to use a yellow to break up the 3 green forms, Yellow Groove next to it due to the similar look and opposite coloration, bissetii 4th as it is low visibility but should really fill in that 'hidden' corner nicely. I left out the Vivax as I think it will stay smaller than the others in your area due to frequent winter damage so put it somewhere else perhaps, same with Rubro.

I've gained an appreciation for the hardy forms - the aureosulcata clan is wonderful in our winters - I think we tend to overlook them as they seem too common but over time they'll be bigger than anything else you can plant. Since you already have Parv I left out Atrovaginata as they are so similar no need to have both in the same area. Thus far though the Atrovaginata is the largest bamboo I have, the Parv may catch and pass it someday. If you were to consider species you did not list, I'd suggest Harbin Inversa, aureosulcata 'Aureocaulis or Propinqua 'Beijing' - all 3 would look different from the others and be of interest.

[VanDell]

Hi!

I think Vivax Aureocaulis is not hardy enough for Zone 6a. Better try something else ...

[EBinNC]

I would select atro for number 4
Very nice Boo and very vigorous

[rfgpitt]

I got 4 planted although I might make a change after shooting season and when I can find some time.

1 - spectabilis
2 - parvifolia
3 - bissetii
4 - v. Aureocaulis

In front of these 4 I should be able to get 2 more. I'll put yellow groove in front of the bissetii, then move the parvifolia in between spectabilis & yellow groove with some Rutgers nuda from booking (growing @ my brother-in-laws) where the parvifolia is now.

Lower yard

[rfgpitt]

Finally added a field division of nuda and aureosulcata. With the heat and humidity this year, the only thing keeping the others from running back to China is lack of water....